Cost-Effective Fixes For Outdated Online Training
You've got serious games that have served you well in the past. They've boosted learner motivation and injected some fun into the training experience. The same goes for those shelved simulations that imparted real-world experience, even if they're irrelevant now. Don't they deserve another chance to prove their worth? The secret is to bring them into the modern era without bending your budget or delaying the course launch. Something as simple as fresh pictures, plots, and navigation controls can help you upcycle content you already have on hand. Here are six quick repairs for outdated online training serious games and simulations that are also cost-effective.
6 Ways To Refresh Your Serious Games And Simulations
1. Fresh Images
Some outdated online training simulations and games just need an image makeover. The pictures are starting to date your content, which makes employees disconnect from the experience. They simply can't relate to pagers or task protocols that haven't been used in years. So, replace images with timely visuals that immerse staffers in the situation and improve knowledge retention. Look for new photos in your authoring tool library or take snapshots in the workplace to make it even more personal. You can also curate third-party content online if all else fails. There are plenty of sites that provide low-cost images to suit your training topic.
2. Updated Dialogue
Jargon and conversational dialogue changes over the years. Terms like "rad" and "far out" might have appealed to employees in the (distant) past. But they'll probably make modern trainees laugh out loud. Update your script to include fresh dialogue that speaks to your employees and helps them engage with the characters. The same goes for your on-screen prompts and questions/responses. Ensure that text and narrations reflect the here and now instead of stirring up feelings of nostalgia. You can always leave in little reminders of the past to poke fun at your company's history and incorporate some subtle humor.
3. Modern Characters
Many of us have enjoyed point-and-click games sometime in our lives. But if we play those same games today the characters are a dead giveaway of the year it was created. Feathered bangs and grunge attire instantly transport us back to the 1990s. However, your employees need information they can use now, delivered by modern characters that are timely and relatable. Do your online training simulations feature an employee wearing the 2005 uniforms? Do virtual customers have complaints that your current staffers must contend with? Substitute outdated characters using cut-out libraries or photos from the workplace. You can even use animation software to revamp the entire look and feel of your online training serious games.
4. Revamped Storyline
Employees face new challenges every day. So, it only makes sense that your online training serious games and simulations require updated stories to reflect emerging issues. Plus, your tale may not be suitable for modern learners because it deals with irrelevant themes, such as tasks or customer complaints that you no longer see in the workplace. Revamp the storyline to include more convincing plots and obstacles. The purpose of real-world activities is to spot areas for improvement and build practical experience, which means that your plot arc must keep up with the times and give modern trainees the chance to utilize their skills instead of trying to solve problems that no longer exist on-the-job.
5. New Navigation Controls
It's the little things that matter, like navigation controls that date your online training serious games or cause employee confusion. Maybe it's icons that seem out of line with your modern images and audio, or dead links that lead them to resources you removed from the library five years ago. It's wise to do some minor housekeeping every now and then to look for defunct navigation controls, as well as those that no longer reflect employee preferences or your brand image. Draw inspiration from your authoring tool's asset library. You can even design unconventional buttons to add an artistic flair, for instance cut-out characters that point employees in the right direction. Just make sure they don't distract trainees from the core objectives or create confusion. When in doubt, opt for familiar controls with modern touches that reflect the subject matter.
6. Employee-Contributed Multimedia
Invite employees to create their own content for the outdated online training simulations to reduce spending and get them involved. Give them some guidelines to follow and let them see the source material. They need to know what they're working with and which outdated elements to address. Make it fun by hosting a live event to kick things off and set some ground rules. For instance, they need to develop a two-minute video clip to replace the serious game intro. It should summarize the key objectives and takeaways, so players know what's in store. Provide trainees with a list of resources they can use to produce content and give them a submission deadline. If you're really pressed for time, put them into teams to fuel collaboration and utilize all their skillsets.
Conclusion
Online training serious games and simulations usually have a long shelf life since they facilitate real-world application and cover niche training topics. However, there comes a time when even the most evergreen game needs to be retired. These quick fixes can help you reuse and recycle interactive training tools to stretch your budget. You may even be able to save a few from the chopping block with updated images, scripts, and characters that resonate with your team. An eLearning content provider can help you modernize those outdated resources so that your team can focus on other projects.
